A versatile performer, Jeff can customize his performances to suit a wide range of venues. Indoors, outdoors, large crowd or small... Jeff has something for everyone. Just take a look at some of the programs offered:
Having made appearances at most of the major "Busker" festivals in North America (Halifax,
Edmonton, Waterloo, Ottawa, New York, Kingston, Windsor, etc.), Jeff has gained a reputation
as one of Canada's finest! As one producer put it... "He can draw a crowd and hold 'em!".
Best described as a stand-up comedy show with props, Jeff exhibits a unique blend of technical
dexterity and off the wall maritime humor. His bizarre, unorthadox approach to magic, fire-eating
and escapes offers something for everyone. Never concerned about being politically correct,
Jeff's sharpness of tongue keeps his audience on their toes. You never know what he'll come out
with next! Here are just a few examples:
The Worlds Stupidest Card Trick!
This is almost too bizarre for words. Jeff manages to find and remove a spectators chosen card from the pack. He even folds it up
three times into a nice little bundle. No big deal you might think, until you find out that he accomplishes all this
by placing the deck in his mouth and using only his tongue! If you like sleight of hand, you will love "sleight of tongue".
Fire Eating:
Jeff finds humor in some of the oddest places and never is this more noticable than when he takes
on the age old art of fire-eating. His casual approach to this dangerous feat leaves his audience
breathless in more ways than one. The climax of the routine is known as the "Fire Ball" and sees
Jeff spewing forth as much as 20 feet of flame! Audiences love this, but so do photographers and
the fire ball has appeared on the front pages of newspapers from coast to coast.
The Straight Jacket Escape:
So much for political correctness... it all ends here! The gloves come off and the barbs fly when a
couple from the audience are enlisted to help Jeff demonstrate the jacket. "Oh come on... bondage should
be fun!" or so he says while flirting with the woman and bullying the man. It all ends well though and Jeff
becomes escape artist/stripper with the crowd clapping along in encouragement to the tune of "I'm too sexy".
Improv...Improv...Improv!
The great thing about performing on the street is that you never know just what might happen. That
is certainly true when it comes to the Jeff Collins show. From wheel chair races to impromtu water
fights, you never know what will happen next!
This show runs anywhere from 15 - 60 minutes in length and can be performed on any surface (grass/pavement/etc).
It requires less than 10 square feet of performance area and can be performed either day or night. The act
is self-contained with it's own amplification and does not require any special arrangements on the part
of the promotor.
Having performed on virtually every size stage imaginable, Jeff can customize his shows length
and size to fit any venue. His performances range up to 90 minutes in length and normally
include magic, juggling and escapes along with some unusual comedy bits, but can also include
fire-eating and fire juggling depending on the venue. Unlike the street show, some of the magic
here is of a more traditional style. Ropes, handkerchiefs and various other props are used to
show the more serious side of this performer. The humor is never too far off though as Jeff
maintains a well ballanced program of awesome feats and outrageous fun. Just check out some of the
featured pieces of the show...
The stage show requires a minimum performance area of 10' x 6'. Microphones, amplification and lighting
may or may not be required depending on the venue.
For conventions, trade shows and those other occasions when a stage show
is not always the easiest thing to set up, Jeff provides a rather unusual
alternative. He is an accomplished "close-up" magician. Having worked a
large variety of restaurants and bars, he is as comfortable with a small
group of people as he is with a large crowd. In a cocktail party setting,
Jeff not only entertains, but acts as an icebreaker as well. He provides your guests
with something to talk about long after the performance is done. This can be especially
effective at those uncomfortable meet and greet gatherings which kick off a weekend of business
endeavors. Just look at some of the things he can do right under your very nose...
Close-up performances are billed by the hour and are totally self-contained. There are no extra
requirements on the part of the client.
Elementary, Jr. High and High School students all agree that Jeff is one of a kind. There are a
variety of programs available to suit all age levels. Jeff believes that school shows are not just
an opportunity to entertain, but that they are also a chance to educate. With that in mind, he
manages to use magic and juggling to keep the kids attention while sneaking in messages about drugs,
literacy and the importance of education. Since we all know how badly school budgets have been cut in
the past few years, Jeff offers discount rates to schools and has a number options to help keep
costs to a minimum including group discounts for schools who book together.
School programs range in length from 30 - 60 minutes. They require a minimum performance space of
10' x 6' and are self contained in every other way. They do NOT require microphone's, amplification or
any other extra consideration on the part of the school.
Jeff combines the energy of his street show with the class of his stage show to present a madcap
adventure on the nightclub stage. While this is not a "blue" act (his pet peeve is performers
who stoop to gross jokes and profanity in an attempt to make up for a lack of talent), it is of a
much more adult nature. Simply put... it's stand-up comedy with props!
This show requires a minimum stage of 4' x 5' and may or may not require microphones, amplification
and lighting depending on the venue. Shows range in length from 10 - 45 minutes.
Looking for a Master of Ceremonies for your special event? Look no further. As an MC, Jeff can
provide humor on stage to help cover those awkward moments between acts or speakers. With a huge
arsenal of short routines that can all be performed "in front of curtain", Jeff will make sure
your audience is entertained from start to finish. For corporate functions, Jeff knows all too well
how important it is to not lose sight of the purpose of the evening. He can help you keep on track,
while still keeping your guests attention. Since much of what Jeff does involves juggling, magic, fire
and the like, he's not only an MC... he's a Ringmaster!
In order to customize a performance, advance time and specific information may be required from the
client.
Looking to add a little carnival atmosphere to your event, but don't want to interupt things with
an actual show? Jeff can help by providing balloon animals, juggling and other circus like activities.
Simply by wandering around and doing small (1-5 minute) sets, he can help establish a festive
setting for any event. If one person is not enough, he can also bring along some friends to
add to the excitement.
Atmosphere work is charged by the hour. Additional fees may be required to cover the cost of balloons, etc.
Having a hard time driving home the theme of your convention? How about a customized juggling or
magic routine which drives home your message? Over the years, Jeff has customized routines to cover
everything from accounting practices to sheep dip manufacturing! Often he can sum up your message
faster than you can in an effective and entertaining way. This could be part of your actual meeting
or as part of a final evenings entertainment. Perhaps you are trying to figure out a way to make
your product stand out more at a dealer or trade show. Your whole sales pitch could be delivered
as part of a magic trick or juggling routine which would be sure to make you stand out from the
rest. Customized give-aways can be created as well. Your customers would love to go home with a
magic trick to show their wives and kids. If it happens to involve your logo or product... who are
you to complain!
Customized corporate programs require development time and pertinant information must be provided by the client.
Additional manufacturing costs may be required for give-away items.
3,4,5,6 and 7 ball juggling:
Unlike many jugglers, Jeff does not rely on unusual objects
(like rubber chickens) to entertain. Instead he relies on his deftness of hand to
create a beautiful airborne display backed up by the lively beat of
modern dance music. His skill with 3, 4, 5, 6 and even 7 balls has
earned him a reputation as one of Canada's top technical jugglers and has
amazed audiences around the world!
A tribute to Annie Oakley:
The newest peace of magic in the show sees a volunteer from the
audience attempting to match the greatest trick shot ever made while a second volunteer provides
the sound effects. As much of a theatre piece as it is a magic trick, it has been receiving
rave reviews from audiences so far.
The Straight Jacket Escape:
While many performers utilize this old stand-by, Jeff takes a rather
unusual approach. The jacket escape is comedy at its finest from start to finish. From the good
natured verbal abuse of the two volunteers who strap him in - to the sexy disco finish (complete with
lights and music), this routine is a sure fire hit!
Coming soon!
A stage version of the old classic "Three Card Monte".
Cards, Cards, Cards!
What is a magician without a deck of cards? Unfortunately, that usually mean Uncle Henry with a
bunch of boring tricks he learned got out of the "Instant Magicians Handbook"! Well, Jeff certainly
isn't your Uncle Henry and unless "instant" means "30 years of practice and training" then you are
in for a treat.
The Chinese Linking Safety Pins
In an unusual spoof of the famous Linking Rings, 3 large diaper pins link and unlink only inches
away from the spectators eyes. This is as close-up as you will ever get to a miracle!
Three Card Monte
This infamous con game became famous on the streets of New York where it is still used to lighten
the pockets of unsuspecting "customers". Jeff's presentation is for entertainment only and will
leave you glad you left your wallet in your pocket!
